Information processing device, method, and computer program

Abstract

An information processing device to allow a user to receive haptic feedback with a more sense of presence, the information processing device including: a virtual space data generating unit configured to generate data related to a virtual space including a virtual object having an attribute; a listener placing unit configured to place a listener for detecting contact with the virtual object; a virtual object in which the listener is placed; and a haptic data generating unit configured to generate haptic data for causing a haptic device to be operated on a basis of at least one of attribute information of the virtual object and attribute information of another virtual object when the virtual object comes into contact with the other virtual object.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. An information processing device, comprising:
 a virtual space data generating unit configured to generate data related to a virtual space including a first virtual object manipulated by a user, the first virtual object having a plurality of areas for detecting contact with a second virtual object; and 
 a haptic data generating unit configured to generate haptic data for causing one or more haptic devices among a plurality of haptic devices, each haptic device of the plurality of haptic devices corresponding to a respective area of the plurality of areas of the first virtual object, to be operated based on at least one of attribute information associated with the first virtual object or attribute information associated with the second virtual object when the second virtual object comes into contact with at least one area of the plurality of areas of the first virtual object, 
 wherein the haptic data is generated based on the at least one area of the plurality of areas of the first virtual object, 
 wherein the haptic data generating unit generates the haptic data for the one or more haptic devices corresponding to one or more areas among the plurality of areas based on a coupling relation between the plurality of areas, and 
 wherein the virtual space data generating unit and the haptic data generating unit are each implemented via at least one processor. 
 
     
     
       2. The information processing device according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the haptic data comprises data related to vibration. 
 
     
     
       3. The information processing device according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the attribute information associated with the first virtual object includes at least one of a mass, a degree of rigidity, a material, a size, a shape, a position, or a speed of the first virtual object, and 
 wherein the attribute information associated with the second virtual object includes at least one of a mass, a degree of rigidity, a material, a size, a shape, a position, or a speed of the second virtual object. 
 
     
     
       4. The information processing device according to  claim 3 ,
 wherein the haptic data generating unit generates the haptic data based on the attribute information associated with the first virtual object manipulated by the user. 
 
     
     
       5. The information processing device according to  claim 3 ,
 wherein the haptic data generating unit generates the haptic data based on the attribute information associated with the second virtual object different from the first virtual object manipulated by the user. 
 
     
     
       6. The information processing device according to  claim 3 ,
 wherein the haptic data generating unit generates the haptic data based on both the attribute information associated with the first virtual object manipulated by the user and the attribute information associated with the second virtual object different from the first virtual object manipulated by the user. 
 
     
     
       7. The information processing device according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the haptic data generating unit further generates the haptic data in accordance with a relative speed or a contact position between the first virtual object and the second virtual object. 
 
     
     
       8. The information processing device according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the haptic data generating unit generates the haptic data based on a shock generation source that exists at a position away from the first virtual object. 
 
     
     
       9. The information processing device according to  claim 8 ,
 wherein the haptic data generating unit generates the haptic data based on a medium between the first virtual object and the shock generation source. 
 
     
     
       10. The information processing device according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the coupling relation relates to a propagation characteristic. 
 
     
     
       11. The information processing device according to  claim 10 ,
 wherein the propagation characteristic relates to a propagation speed or attenuation of propagation. 
 
     
     
       12. The information processing device according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the haptic data generating unit further generates the haptic data based on information provided from a line-of-sight detecting unit configured to detect a line of sight of the user. 
 
     
     
       13. The information processing device according to  claim 12 ,
 wherein the haptic data generating unit generates the haptic data based on the contact between the second virtual object and the first virtual object manipulated by the user when the second virtual object is determined to be in a field of view of the user based on the detected line of sight of the user. 
 
     
     
       14. The information processing device according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the haptic data comprises data related to an electric stimulus or heat. 
 
     
     
       15. A method, implemented via at least one processor, the method comprising:
 generating data related to a virtual space including a first virtual object manipulated by a user, the first virtual object having a plurality of areas for detecting contact with a second virtual object; and 
 generating haptic data for causing one or more haptic devices among a plurality of haptic devices, each haptic device of the plurality of haptic devices corresponding to a respective area of the plurality of areas of the first virtual object, to be operated based on at least one of attribute information associated with the first virtual object or attribute information associated with the second virtual object when the second virtual object comes into contact with at least one area of the plurality of areas of the first virtual object, 
 wherein the haptic data is generated based on the at least one area of the plurality of areas of the first virtual object, and 
 wherein the haptic data is generated for the one or more haptic devices corresponding to one or more areas among the plurality of areas based on a coupling relation between the plurality of areas. 
 
     
     
       16. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having embodied thereon a program, which when executed by a processor causes the processor to execute a method, the method comprising:
 generating data related to a virtual space including a first virtual object manipulated by a user, the first virtual object having a plurality of areas for detecting contact with a second virtual object; and 
 generating haptic data for causing one or more haptic devices among a plurality of haptic devices, each haptic device of the plurality of haptic devices corresponding to a respective area of the plurality of areas of the first virtual object, to be operated based on at least one of attribute information associated with the first virtual object or attribute information associated with the second virtual object when the second virtual object comes into contact with at least one area of the plurality of areas of the first virtual object, 
 wherein the haptic data is generated based on the at least one area of the plurality of areas of the first virtual object, and 
 wherein the haptic data is generated for the one or more haptic devices corresponding to one or more areas among the plurality of areas based on a coupling relation between the plurality of areas.